If we are honest with ourselves, we will acknowledge that we have achieved whatever level of success we have attained in this world in large part due to the wisdom of people who we encountered along the way who said things that made us think anew about the work we are engaged in and made a difference in our lives.
Sam Kinzer was such a person for me. We practiced together in Everett for several years before his departure for the horse country of Eastern Washington. He had a great way of cutting through a lot of BS and getting to the point of the matter.
He was a tough litigator, and fearless in the courtroom. I frequently sought his advice, and benefitted most on those occasions when I followed it.
But I will also never forget the touching moment at a benefit luncheon in Everett years ago for Cocoon House, a local nonprofit dedicated to turning around the lives of runaway teens. Hardly a sentimental man, Sam teared up when he announced the creation of special fund at Cocoon House in honor of his mother, a hardworking woman who worked mostly minimum wage jobs to support their family in eastern Oregon. Her hard work and sacrifice had provided Sam the opportunity to attend college, the first in his family to do so.
With Sam’s all too sudden passing, we have lost one of the wise men among us.
Mark Olson
Everett
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